WatchESPN and the JCGC, etc coverage
 

If I'm understanding this right, the 3 hr coverage of the Belmont and Santa Anita races today is on ESPN Classic (currently one of the channels on the fritz in my house for reasons nobody understands) which is then available on WatchESPN if you've subscribed to a high speed carrier that has it (in my case Charter). I didn't know if anybody else might be in a bind like me or simply prefer to have it on their computer, but I thought it would be worth giving a heads up.

I think all you have to do is go on there, find the right event, and click, right? I didn't see anything requiring registration.

BTW College Game just ran 40 minutes late on ESPN. Just to remind you on what could happen BC day.

Why do I get the feeling that these ESPN telecasts are done on a shoestring budget? Especially when you see the NBC/Versus coverage we've been getting.

Wow, I just realized that ESPN classic is channel 614 on Direct TV. I just thought that I didn't have the channel all these years.

It seems that ESPN is doing all they can to wash their hands of horse racing. The network that used to carry most of the important races other than the TC is showing nothing except the BC now. The BC expanding to two days is now using up 8 hours of low ratings airtime. Last year they should have thanked 60 Minutes for their Zenyatta piece. Last year's BC was the only one with decent ratings since ESPN took over for NBC.

When is their contract up with the BC? What happens when the BC is on TVG, HRTV, or Versus? Will that be the end of it as we know it?

The angles were bad at Belmont and they missed the break in the Lady's Secret. It's laughable to compare it to either NBC/Vs. or even the MSG+ telecasts.

We're doing an hour show on MSG+ this weekend covering the Champagne, Frizette and Jamaica. Not sure which two will be live at this time.

I don't know how you can say that. Obviously Friday isn't the issue (although more and more college games are being played on Thursdays and Fridays). But on Saturdays that's all ESPN is, continuous College Football from noon to midnight. You would think that college football would generate more revenue and ratings than horse racing, so I don't think you can really blame ESPN.

As far as them losing the BC, I would think that the most important thing is that the BC ends up on a channel thats accessible for everyone. I know that alot of people don't get HRTV/TVG, so to have it on a limited channel would not do much good (especially for the newer fans/potential fans of the sport). But wherever it lands you would think that the die hard's and most importantly the gamblers will find a way to watch (more importantly bet) the races.

Excellent. That and Thoroughbred Weekly are the two best shows around.

And the National Racing Report. ;)

One is televison, The National Racing Report is art.

You are right about Friday. The problem with Friday IMO is that it has diluted the one day Saturday format greatly. The gamblers will always find a way to bet and watch be it online or at a simul center. Viewership was doomed from the inception because of college football. And of course Sunday would probably be even worse going up against the NFL.

Can't go wrong with Jason, Andy and the Mig!

I honestly think that Friday night would be a good idea. Obviously more people would be at home from work and hopefully it would garner some attention (from the novice group) and draw people back the next day for the really big races.